Jesus Montero worth a hold in deep leagues
by Nando Di Fino | Senior Fantasy Writer
(4:39 pm ET) In 101 at-bats prior to his Thursday demotion, Mariners catcher
Jesus Montero hit .208 with three home runs and one double.
This was coming on the heels of an encouraging 2012 in which he hit .260 with 15 home runs and 20 doubles. And all of that came off a minor-league career which saw the 23-year-old hit .308, with four 17-plus home run campaigns over five seasons.
Montero can hit, but he has proven to be a pretty bad catcher. So he'll learn first base down on the farm, a process that may not take too long considering this is not a foreign idea to him. We know Montero can hit -- his 2013 line was doomed thanks to spotty playing time and repeated failures and stresses behind the plate. With the burden of having to call games and handle a staff now gone, Montero has been freed to simply take grounders and regain his offensive potential.
Granted, Montero doesn't even have a spot at DH or first base open for him once he does come around. But injuries (and slumps) can change things on a daily basis. I am holding Montero in 14-team-and-deeper Roto formats. I may even trade for him or scoop him off the discard pile in some leagues. Montero can hit, and it shouldn't be too long (mid-July?) until he pops back up with a far sunnier outlook.
Hiroki Kuroda doing OK day after getting hurt
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(4:37 pm ET) Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Thursday he spoke with trainer Steve Donohue, who assured him starting pitcher
Hiroki Kuroda was fine a day after leaving his start against the Orioles with a
bruisted right calf, according to
The Star-Ledger. Kuroda said after leaving Wednesday's game he was confident he would make his next start Tuesday against the Mets, and manager Joe Girardi echoed those sentiments.
Salvador Perez rejoins Royals' lineup
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(4:32 pm ET) Royals catcher
Salvador Perez returned to the starting lineup Thursday against the Angels after
missing two starts with a bruised hip. Perez is batting .368 (21 for 57) with five RBI and six doubles in 16 May games (15 starts).
Louis Coleman recalled for first time in 2013
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(4:28 pm ET) The Royals recalled reliever
Louis Coleman from
Triple-A Omaha Thursday. Coleman last pitched in the majors in 2012 and is 1-4 with a 3.25 ERA in 90 relief appearances.
Royals demote struggling reliever
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(4:25 pm ET) The Royals optioned reliever
Kelvin Herrera to
Triple-A Omaha Thursday. Herrera was 2-4 with a 4.87 ERA and two saves for Kansas City.
Herrera, however, has been struggling since mid-April. He is 1-4 with a 6.60 ERA and eight home runs allowed in his last 13 appearances (15 innings).
Patrick Corbin's hot start turns heads
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com
(4:18 pm ET) At the start of spring training,
Patrick Corbin was not even assured a spot in the Diamondbacks' rotation, after putting up a 4.54 ERA as a rookie in 2012. After nine starts, however, he has made a case for being the best pitcher in the National League so far this season. His 7-0 record and 1.44 ERA are opening eyes.
"It's impressive," D-backs Opening Day starter Ian Kennedy told MLB.com Thursday. "You're talking about a guy that people said might barely make the team in the fifth spot. He pitches well in Spring Training, but it's Spring Training. Then the season starts and he's doing pretty good now. He's on a roll now. I'm impressed."
Corbin is coming off his best start of the season, a complete-game three-hitter in a win over the Rockies that pushed him into the NL lead in wins. He also ranks second in ERA, eighth in WHIP (0.98) and has a miniscule .196 batting average allowed.
White Sox place Angel Sanchez on waivers
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(4:17 pm ET) The White Sox placed infielder
Angel Sanchez on waivers Thursday, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. Since he is a
Rule 5 pick, Sanchez will be offered back to the Angels, if he goes unclaimed.
Sanchez played in one game for Chicago this season before being placed on the disabled list with a strained lower back.
Colby Lewis ready for Triple-A rehab start
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(4:14 pm ET) Rangers starting pitcher
Colby Lewis (elbow) had
no issues throwing a bullpen session Thursday, according to FOX Sports Southwest. Lewis will make a rehab start for Triple-A Round Rock Saturday, which is scheduled to go four innings or 60 pitches.
Josh Johnson expected to make three rehab starts
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(4:12 pm ET) Blue Jays manager John Gibbons reiterated Thursday he expects starting pitcher
Josh Johnson (triceps) to make at least
three rehab starts before rejoining the rotation. Johnson, who pitched for Class A Dunedin Monday, will make his second rehab outing Saturday for Triple-A Buffalo.
Chris Carpenter continues to progress
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com
(4:10 pm ET) Cardinals starting pitcher
Chris Carpenter threw an
extended bullpen session Thursday at Busch Stadium, another step in his recovery from a nerve condition in his right shoulder.
"It was a positive step," general manager John Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "We're still approaching this one day at a time."
Carpenter told reporters he felt good after the workout, and is expected to face live hitters next week barring any setbacks.
Give a listen to our daily Fantasy podcast!
